1 rich Libsyn https://www.libsyn.com 90 600 In this moving episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, Jed sits down with K.G. Mach (pen name of author Kimberly Mach), creator of the middle grade novel Present, Still Missing, to talk about war’s invisible wounds and the power of stories to open hard conversations at home. K.G. Mach introduces us to Irene, a baseball‑and‑football loving girl growing up just after World War II. Irene’s dad returns from the war physically safe but emotionally distant, living with what we now call PTSD. K.G. explains that while PTSD wasn’t officially recognized until 1980, its impact on families has been with us throughout history. She shares fascinating research about Mason General Hospital on Long Island, where doctors were successfully using talk therapy and outdoor activities with veterans in the 1940s—only to see that work sidelined as the Cold War began. Jed and K.G. Mach explore how the book looks at PTSD through a child’s eyes, and why it was important to her that the story remain honest but ultimately hopeful. They talk about Irene’s fierce, sporty spirit (inspired in part by K.G.’s sister‑in‑law), gender expectations in the 1940s, and how friendships and empathy grow over the course of a middle school year. K.G. also shares powerful moments from school visits and book signings, including a veteran father who opened up to his daughters after seeing the book. The conversation branches into intergenerational stories, listening to our elders, and how reading together can spark life‑changing family discussions about trauma, resilience, and mental health. Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast https://sites.libsyn.com/558800 <iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/41557870/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/88AA3C/" height="90" width="600" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe> https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/content/202688970